Wheat

I love bread, not gonna lie.  Wheat, over the years, has gotten a pretty bad reputation in relation to diets and ailments caused by devious gluten.  The vast majority of humans have grown accustomed to having wheat and grains in their diets and thus tummies handle pizza, pastas, rice, bread etc.…very well.  But, if you read the latest blogs or health and fitness magazines, it sounds like everyone, and their mom, has a wheat allergy.  In truth, a true wheat allergy causing systemic reactions like anaphylaxis, hives, etc. is super rare. 

Now, having said that, too much of anything is never a good thing.  When we overrepresent wheat and grains in kids’ diets, which are often readily accepted by even the pickiest 2-year-old, it can cause issues like any limited diet.  Because wheat and grains suck up a lot of liquid in the gut, in can cause stomach issues like constipation and bloating/cramping.  Also, a lot of the wheat products on the market are processed, which can cause issues due to the extra sugars or bleaching techniques that rip good nutrients away from the natural wheat and grains.  When looking for breads, look to your local baker or the “fancier” breads that use natural or slow leavening yeast and whole grains/wheat that retain all those good nutrients and stay away from overly processed stuff.  If the bread you bought is still good with no mold or drying after a week on the counter, that is not a naturally leavened bread. 

A component of wheat and other various grains is gluten.  There is a condition called celiac disease, which is not a wheat allergy, but rather an inability to properly process gluten leading to intestinal inflammation.  There are simple blood tests that can screen for this sensitivity, separate from allergy testing.  If these screening tests are positive, a visit with a Pediatric Gastroenterologist for a definitive work up and diagnosis is warranted. 

But, Dr. Fradkin, I have friends who keep their kids off of wheat to help with their ADHD, Autism, Rashes, Stomach Aches, bad grades, bad dreams, talking in tongues….etc.  I say, “good for them”, but there is not any evidence that withholding wheat combats these ailments. The results these parents see is more likely because their kids are not eating as much processed stuff, snacking starchy foods, and have a more well-balanced diet without empty simple carbs which, overall, can do wonders for one’s health over time.